An Internet café was a sensible purchase for a computer science major in the early aughts.

But it wasn’t long before Noor Mitri tore out the wall of computers to make way for a bar at Abstractions Café.

The downtown lunch spot has evolved since Noor and his family — dad Farid Mitri, mom Hayat Fakhoury and sister Sally Mitri — bought the place 14 years ago.

Noor came to Regina 16 years ago to study at the University of Regina. His family soon followed, given political tensions in the Middle East. And though Hayat and Farid didn’t have restaurant backgrounds — she was a travel agent and he worked in petroleum and potash — they sure can cook.

Syrian food is similar to Greek and Turkish food. It’s all Mediterranean, and “it’s just delicious,” says Noor.

Sahen fatte shamiye is a brunch item.TROY FLEECE /
Regina Leader-Post

Even through a head cold, I could smell the spices in the air of the chic, uncluttered café.

You order at the counter from a menu that includes hummus doused in olive oil, baba ghannouj and falafel.

There’s katayef for dessert — walnuts wrapped in deepfried dough, sprinkled in cinnamon and syrup. (If you have a sweet tooth, be warned: This could be addictive.)

And then there are more familiar items, like burritos, panini and pasta salad (although the latter has been punched up with a mixture of seven Middle-Eastern spices).

Those are keepers from the Internet café days. So is the name Abstractions.

“We really love the name because it’s very artistic,” says Noor. “That’s what art is, is abstract, in its purest forms. You can’t categorize art; it has to be free. And in the same way we tried to match the place over the years to become a fusion of all sorts of things.”

They used to have regular events featuring art and food, which have taken a backseat to raising children: Sally has a six-year-old daughter, and Noor has two young children.

The pasta salad at Abstractions Cafe has a dash of middle-eastern spices.TROY FLEECE /
Regina Leader-Post

But he is planning some for this fall.

Noor says the meals and drinks will fit the vibe of the music.

“They call it spirits for a reason, because each has its own soul,” says Noor — whisky is a better pairing with blues music than a festive rum and Coke, for example.

“Usually it’s about the company. It’s about the full experience rather than just the food,” says Noor.

With Abstractions serving daytime customers these days — the lunchtime lineups can get long — that’s not usually possible.

So at least they can offer good, wholesome food while people eat quickly.

Plus, a lot of it is vegetarian.

“When I first moved to Regina, the whole idea of eating a vegetarian dish was kind of frowned upon because agh, it probably tastes horrible,” says Noor.

Mediterranean cooking offers “an incredible balance between vegetables and meat. … You get full nutrition from that, and it tastes amazing.”

Hummus is served with pita chips.TROY FLEECE /
Regina Leader-Post

He sees people’s acceptance as a signal of a more openminded city.

In the past, finding authentic food was difficult.

“You see Chinese food, but it’s not really Chinese food. You see Greek food, but it’s not really Greek food,” says Noor. Restaurant owners felt “everything had to be twisted to fit in the norm.”

It’s not like that anymore: “Regina’s cool right now.”

All along, Abstractions’ goal has been to “put our own twist and offer some authentic dishes when we can.”

As a family business, it hasn’t always been “flowers,” but the Mitris have learned to separate the personal from the professional where necessary.

It is very obviously a family business, as three generations now frequent the place. During a recent brunch, Noor’s three-year-old daughter Zoe sat at a little desk behind the counter, being quiet and adorable.

Even the restaurant has become like a family member, says Noor: “You appreciate it for the memories it has allowed to create for you. We have so many memories here that I can’t imagine my life without Abstractions Café right now. It would be a lot emptier.”

Abstractions is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 2161 Rose St.

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In each Thursday’s Live To Eat, I’m talking to the people who make our city’s food scene so great. If you’ve eaten anything awesome in Regina lately, send me a note — I’d love to hear about it.

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